Agapitos

Agape, I know from religious study, means love in Greek. At the beach I heard Greek mothers gently speaking to their children, "Ela, Agapi." This means 'come here sweetie." On the ferry I met an interesting character. He may end up in a book my mind is pregnant with. Here are my notes on him:

Agapitos—Greek masc. for love
23 yrs old-From Chios, dad-accountant in Athens/furniture maker and house painter in Chios (where they make Masteka (sp?) some kind of sap from trees?). “When he is in Athens, his hands rest. When he is in Chios, his mind rests. Grandfather died (alive during WWII fought in Korea, tired of war so grew olives for olive oil in Athens—was returning from funeral that day (dressed in black), A got his grandpa’s worry/prayer beads to hold instead of cigarettes. He's going to try to quit. Has a bit of cerebral palsy and underbite. Likes 70’s rock music—Scorpions, Pink Floyd-types Deep Purple out on his phone when I can’t understand what he says after I ask him what his favorite band is. Was in military (Greece has universal compulsory service for men (18yrold) only—he said women were ‘not necessary’ in the military). A bit of a greek philosopher in him—making generalities about people and what they should be doing instead of what they actually do. We told blonde jokes back and forth. His girlfriend is in Crete (pron. Kreetee). She’s much younger—hasn’t seen her since Dec. Gave me Greek lesson—pronounciation of letters, verb conjugation, common conversational vocab and some cuss words—apparently “masturbator” is the most common name-calling insult. The “S” is round in the back of the mouth like Spain’s Spanish and Greeks use a familiar plural “you” “eis” like Spaniards do too. Doesn’t believe in God-believes heaven and hell are in human’s ability to create or destroy-do your best today because there is no other chance. Asked him about EU and Euros—not great for Greeks because cost of living doubled/tripled while wages stayed same as under Drachmas. Full of stories about him working with his dad painting houses (dad hammers in the keystone in domed stone buildings and paints them in the old style—white washed plaster), and working at a bar. Asked him about Turks—“I don’t care”—Turkey very close to Chios. Greeks feel toward Albanians like some Americans toward Mexicans (blame illegal immigration for national economic ills)—he says some Albanians are better friends to him than Greeks. Shows me a cigratte burn scar on his arm “a mean/stupid guy” did that to him. He tells me when my stop has come. Wouldn’t have known otherwise. He helps me get luggage to the ramp. European kisses and a handshake. I email him to send me a pic of the guy with sign on his back “I open my arms to you Athens and kiss your concrete.” (sarcastic—doesn’t like Athens.) Told him to use his “no smoking beads” and have a good summer. He emails saying to email him if I need any translating help. I will send him song and band suggestions since he likes some of the same music I do (remember to tell him about Rush, Yes, Triumph.)